Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Robinson Helicopter Co; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Robinson Helicopter Co in Torrance, CA is seeking an Experienced Manufacturing Engineer to develop and improve rotorcraft manufacturing processes, tooling, and layouts.

You will lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives, support NPI efforts, and mentor junior engineers while ensuring adherence to FAA and AS9100 requirements. This full-time role focuses on production excellence and meeting delivery commitments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Experience in aerospace or regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting production operation.
• Strong knowledge of machining and fabrication processes; tooling/fixture design.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement manufacturing processes for rotorcraft structures, assemblies, powertrain components, and aircraft systems.
• Translate drawings, specs and design intent into production-ready manufacturing plans.
• Design and validate production layouts, tooling, fixtures, and workstations.
• Establish standard work, manufacturing instructions and process documentation.
• Provide hands-on engineering support to the factory floor; resolve production issues.
• Serve as the technical authority for manufacturing processes in assigned areas.
• Mentor junior engineers and manufacturing technicians.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze production metrics: throughput, first-pass yield, cycle time, cost of quality.
• Identify opportunities to increase productivity, reduce waste, and improve quality.
• Support introduction of new helicopter models, modifications, and configuration changes.
• Lead manufacturability reviews and DFMA assessments.
• Develop tooling strategies and process qualification plans.
• Ensure processes meet FAA regulations, AS9100 and internal quality procedures.
• Identify root causes and implement corrective actions for production issues.
• Identify, justify and implement advanced manufacturing technologies; automation and digital tools.
• Coordinate with Design Engineering, QA, Production Control, Supply Chain, tooling and maintenance.
• Support production planning and execution to meet aircraft delivery schedules.

Skills

Manufacturing processes

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Root Cause Analysis

Process validation

Machining

Tooling design

CAD

ERP/MES

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering

Related engineering discipline

Tools

CAD systems

ERP/MES

Job description

Job DetailsLevel: ExperiencedJob Location: Torrance, CA 90505Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00 SalaryJob Shift: DayJob Category: EngineeringPOSITION OVERVIEW:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Manufacturing Process Development
   • Develop and implement manufacturing processes for rotorcraft structures, mechanical assemblies, powertrain components, and aircraft systems.
   • Translate engineering drawings, specifications, and design intent into production-ready manufacturing plans.
   • Design and validate production layouts, tooling, fixtures, and workstations.
   • Establish standard work, manufacturing instructions, and process documentation.
2. Production Support & Technical Leadership
   • Provide hands‑on engineering support to the factory floor, resolving technical issues affecting production, quality, or schedule.
   • Serve as the technical authority for manufacturing processes within assigned production areas.
   • Mentor junior engineers and manufacturing technicians.
3. Continuous Improvement
   • Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives.
   • Analyze production performance metrics including:
     • throughput
     • first-pass yield
     • cycle time
     • cost of quality
   • Identify opportunities to increase productivity, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
4. New Product Introduction (NPI)
   • Support introduction of new helicopter models, aircraft modifications, and configuration changes.
   • Lead manufacturability reviews and Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) assessments.
   • Develop tooling strategies and process qualification plans.
5. Compliance & Quality Assurance
   • Ensure manufacturing processes meet aerospace regulatory and quality requirements including:
     • FAA regulations
     • AS9100 quality management systems
     • internal quality procedures
   • Participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions for production issues.
6. Capital Equipment & Automation
   • Identify, justify, and implement advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation, robotics, CNC machining, and digital manufacturing tools.
   • Lead capital equipment selection, specification, and commissioning.
7. Cross-Functional Collaboration
   • Coordinate with:
     • Design Engineering
     • Quality Assurance
     • Production Control
     • Supply Chain
     • Tooling and Maintenance
   • Support production planning and execution to meet aircraft delivery schedules.

QualificationsRequired Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in:
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • or related engineering discipline

Experience

• 8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience
• Experience in aerospace or regulated manufacturing environments preferred
• Demonstrated experience supporting production operation

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of:
  • machining and fabrication processes
  • mechanical assembly
  • tooling and fixture design
  • process validation
• Proficiency with:
  • CAD systems
  • ERP/MES manufacturing systems
  • process documentation and control

Manufacturing Methodologies

• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement
• Root Cause Analysis
• Process capability and statistical analysis

Manufacturing engineers typically evaluate and improve manufacturing processes, design systems for production, and implement technical solutions to improve efficiency and quality.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in rotorcraft or aircraft manufacturing
• Familiarity with FAA Part 21 / production certification environments
• Knowledge of aerospace materials including:
  • aluminum alloys
  • titanium
  • stainless steels
  • composites
• Experience with CNC machining, assembly lines, or automated manufacturing systems
• Project management experience leading cross-functional engineering initiatives

KEY COMPENTENCIES:

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability
• Leadership and mentoring ability
• Excellent technical communication
• Hands‑on factory mindset
• Data‑driven decision making

Salary Range: $120,000.00-$145,000.00